http://thehumanmarvels.com/?p=67
http://www.frejus-saintraphael.maville.com/Actuali...t/actu_-677187------_actu.html
http://naindien.com/spip.php?article28
http://www.phreeque.com/nikolai_kobelkoff.html
http://tebessa.free.fr/galerie_des_monstres/troncs/pages/kobelkoff_fam.htm



CHS Main page Circus Historical Society Membership
Circus History Message & Discussion Board
Send a Message Current Messages
If you arrived here via a search engine, use "find" to locate the item.

This board is provided by the Circus Historical Society, Inc. for posting questions or conducting discussions regarding circus history.

* Please do not submit attachments, genealogy questions or questions regarding the value of circus memorabilia.

When you click on Send or Respond to a Message above, your browser will attempt to send your question or comment using its email program. If you prefer to use a different email program to send your message, please address your question to circushistory@gmail.com with Circus History Message in the subject line.

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Message Archive: Messages 301 - 350


350. Magazine article, RBBB, December 15, 2004 - As a boy in the late 40's or early 50's I was entranced by a magazine article about the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus. It was in a "Look" or "Colliers" magazine. It was about the trains used to carry the show from place to place and I remember across the top of the pages of the aticle it pictured the trains and what they carried. It also announced the development of the seat wagon where the seats folded out from the wagon that was used to carry props in. Over the years I have belonged to the Circus Model Builders and have tried to find this magazine. Any information will be appreciated. Bill Whiteman, Oregon, Gabi38@aol.com. Respond to this message

Reply: December 15, 2004 - One place to check is the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, which is usually available in many libraries. Try checking entries under circus in the late 1940s. RBBB seat wagons date to about 1947 or so. There was also an article about the RBBB train in Popular Science or Mechanics. Included in it was an artist's sketch of the trains, if I remember correctly. Fred Dahlinger.

Reply: 05-Jan-05 - That article was in the May 1952 Popular Mechanics and it was reprinted in black and white in the March-April Little Circus Wagon. I am looking at my copy of that issue. If you e-mail me your name and mailing address, I will make a copy of the article and send it to you. It will be in black and white but it is still a great article. Frank Hutchinson, CMB 4690, fwhutch31@aol.com.

Reply: 06-Jan-05 - It was the March-April 1991 Little Circus Wagon that has the reprint of the Popular Mechanics article. The article depicts the Ringling edition that had the five pole big top with the menagerie in one end of the big top. You may order a copy of the March-April 1991 Little Circus Wagon from the Back Issues Department of the Little Circus Wagon. Send $1.50 for the magazine plus $2.50 for postage and handling to Mike Butash, 640 Theodore St., Scranton PA 18508-1741. The March-April issue is listed as being available in the current Little Circus Wagon but you could e-mail Mike at mudshow@msn.com to be sure. Incidentally, the title of the desired article is "Here Comes the Circus." The author is Clifford B. Hicks. Frank Hutchinson


Join CHS today! Membership Form


349. P. A. McGrath, train master, December 11, 2004 - Does anyone have information about P. A. McGrath, train master for Cole Bros. Circus and Ringling Bros. Circus. Thank you, Carl Kruger, NY, cfkcircus@hotmail.com. Respond to this message

Reply: 15 Aug 2008 - I know of a P H McGrath who was a trainmaster in the Robbins Bros Circus in 1938. I think he later joined Ringlings with his wife Mabel Mcgrath. He is my relative, my father's uncle. marian macgrath, ouise9@comcast.net



348. Circus of the Sun, December 10, 2004 - I'm up in the wilds of northern Ontario, Canada, but spent three wonderful, and at times tense, periods in Papua New Guinea in the early nineties. While there, I saw on an ABC program a movie/documentary on what I have since presumed to be the precursor to Cirque du Soleil. I believe the documentary was about "The Circus of the Sun," a group of improvisational and multi-talented individuals who pretty much had to multi-task to put on a mobile circus that toured Australia. It is the name of the group, which I may be in memory error of, that obviously causes me to believe that they might have conceptually begun what now is a world famous french canadian circus. Would you be so kind as to straighten me out in this regard? Thank you. Jim Murphy, murphyj@magma.ca. Respond to this message

Reply: 03-Jan-05 - While the Circus of the Sun (nay Cirque du Soleil) as taken legendary proportions we must look back to a time were the main purpose of a group of street performers was to perpetuate their art.
Baie St-Paul (Quebec) is a small village that accommodated an annual event that gathered street performers. The organization that brought this mini festival together was known as Le Club des Talons Hauts de la Baie St-Paul. In 1984, the Celebration of the Discovery of Canada by Jacques-Cartier made it possible for the government to finance a project that saw the birth of Cirque du Soleil. However, because this new group was less then a year old it did not qualify for a grant. The problem was solved when Gilles St-Croix, a friend of Guy Laliberte, produced the circus under the name of the Club des Talons Hauts, Inc.
As for a group of multi-talented individuals creating a new circus-art concept it is a mythological interpretation of a circus that had the insight of finding very talented people. Director Franco Dragone, a Belgian of Italian source, was familiar with the "new wave" theatrical-circus in Europe. Importing the concept to our shore was an innovation to the eyes of the North-American public. Performers from Circus Roncalli also added prestige to a new circus who's talented performers were more of outer countries then that of Canada.
A first attempt of touring Australia fail to materialize after a $400,000 expenditure. Several years later they succeeded in penetrating the Australian and Asian market. A few years ago Cheval-Theatre innovated and failed. Gilles Ste-Croix, the man behind this new venture, lost a fortune along with a few millions from his friend Guy Laliberte. Meanwhile, Cavalia is a major show produced by Normand latourelle, who was General Manager of Cirque du Soleil. What is today a major international circus organization as benefited from over $20,000,000 in Government grants. A far cry from U.S. administration that fumbles and force the closure of the Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center - the world's most important depositary of circus documentation. Giovanni Iuliani



347. Captain Jack Armstrong, December 10, 2004 - I am a descendant of Willie Timmerman, known in the circus world as Captain Jack Armstrong. Captain Jack operated a traveling circus in India from the early 1930s into World War II. I would appreciate any information of this history you could forward me. Jerry Zimmerman, jerdadzim@cs.com. Respond to this message

Reply: 15-Jan-05 - Hello. I am a desendent of Isaac Timmerman, Mable(St.James). William "Willie" as I always remember my mom calling him. She told me he was her favorate Uncle. I too am trying to find more information about his life (circus). My moms cousin Betty Hart ( Ivora Timmerman is her mom) just put together a book on the Timmerman family history. If you are family you'll know how to get ahold of her. If you find what your looking for, let me know. I just keep running into walls. Im about to call Betty myself. I have some info to go on, but more would be better. He was such a terrific person. Oh. ya. My grandmother was Lozetta Timmerman Harshman. ialou@verizon.net

Reply: 08 September, 2006 - I am the grandson of William Timmerman whose show name was Captain Jack Armstrong. I remember him well as when I was young. He passed away in 1974, His wife my Grandma just passed away this summer she was 96 years old. All four of their kids that also performed with them in India are still alive and doing well, in fact my Dad Ralph still dose some of his cycle acts today at the young age of 70. Currently they all reside in Washington state. Scott Timmerman



346. Nikolai Kobelkoff, December 04, 2004 - I am searching information about Nikolai Wassilievitch Kobelkoff (1851 Russia - 1933 Wien) and his sons. Kobelkoff was born without legs and arms (only stumps), though his parents and his numerous children were normal. This human trunk showed his skillfulness in his fairground stall and later added cinema to his exhibition ("American Show"). He worked a long time in France but visited a lot of country. I assume that some descendants live now in Wien and some of them work in the Prater. Could you help me. Any information would be invaluable for me. Best regards, Jean-Jacques Meusy, Cinema historian (CNRS), Paris, nicole.meusy@club-internet.fr. Respond to this message

Reply: December 06, 2004 - I'm not sure what you mean by 'any' information being welcome as there is so much information widely found on 'the Human Trunk' also on the net. There is a Kobelkoff film, he's featured in plenty of books, the Stadtmuseum, etc. There are still several Kobelkoff and Pichler and Lang family members in Vienna, also in the Prater that you can call. What specific information would you want on Nikolai & family? Natasha Gerson.

Reply: 15 March, 2005 - I am searching information about Nikolai Wassilievitch Kobelkoff painting. Do you have informations ? Thank you! mely.c@tiscali.fr

Reply: 02 April, 2006 - I found messages concerning Nicolai Kobelkoff. I belong to his familiy. If you are interested have a look at my website: www.praterdynastien.at. Best regards Silvia Lang

Reply: 16 August, 2006 - Bonjour, j'ai lu votre annonce sur google, je suie collectionneur du cinema primitif, de 1850 e1915,et dans ma collection j'ai le film en 35mm de KOBELKOFF de 1902, helas je nai que le positif, le nйgatif je l'ai cйdй il y as quelques temps,j'ai aussi 2 cartes postale ou il est reprйsentй avec sa femme est 6 de ses enfants, le film set tres bien fait je le projecte avec un projecteur LUMIERE et le rйsultat est merveilleux. Salutations HENRI BORGE. domitor@wanadoo.fr
http://www.circushistory.org/Query/Query05a.htm

Kobelkoff, le torse humain est un film documentaire franзais non attribuй en noir et blanc teintй, tournй en 1900.

http://www.etrangefestival.com/index_old/Prog98Freaks.html
http://wien.orf.at/magazin/magazin/veranstaltungen/stories/96118/
http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/newsite/research/research-freaks.html
http://www.quasi-modo.net/Sideshow_Nudes.html
http://www.ulrikeottinger.com/en/tueb-geheimnis-e.htm
http://www.showhistory.com/Limbless.html

http://www.lespressesdureel.com/PDF/932.pdf
http://www.amazon.de/Wien-Wahlheimat-Genies-2-Cassetten/dp/3784450067
http://www.buecher.de/shop/Go-Gz/Grieser-Dietmar/W...ducts/detail/prod_id/05450933/
http://thehumanmarvels.com/?p=67
http://www.pasara.at/index-Dateien/Page348.htm

http://thehumanmarvels.com/?p=67
http://www.frejus-saintraphael.maville.com/Actuali...t/actu_-677187------_actu.html
http://naindien.com/spip.php?article28
http://www.phreeque.com/nikolai_kobelkoff.html
http://tebessa.free.fr/galerie_des_monstres/troncs/pages/kobelkoff_fam.htm



CHS Main page Circus Historical Society Membership
Circus History Message & Discussion Board
Send a Message Current Messages
If you arrived here via a search engine, use "find" to locate the item.

This board is provided by the Circus Historical Society, Inc. for posting questions or conducting discussions regarding circus history.

* Please do not submit attachments, genealogy questions or questions regarding the value of circus memorabilia.

When you click on Send or Respond to a Message above, your browser will attempt to send your question or comment using its email program. If you prefer to use a different email program to send your message, please address your question to circushistory@gmail.com with Circus History Message in the subject line.

Circus History Message must be in the subject line of your email. You must include both your email address and full name. Your city and state would be appreciated. Your response should include the topic of the message you are replying to in the text of your email, as well as your email address and full name. Please read the Guidelines and Disclaimer before emailing your message or response. Your message or response will be posted within one week, unless otherwise indicated above. Read Guidelines and Disclaimer regarding genealogy questions.

Message Archive: Messages 301 - 350


350. Magazine article, RBBB, December 15, 2004 - As a boy in the late 40's or early 50's I was entranced by a magazine article about the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus. It was in a "Look" or "Colliers" magazine. It was about the trains used to carry the show from place to place and I remember across the top of the pages of the aticle it pictured the trains and what they carried. It also announced the development of the seat wagon where the seats folded out from the wagon that was used to carry props in. Over the years I have belonged to the Circus Model Builders and have tried to find this magazine. Any information will be appreciated. Bill Whiteman, Oregon, Gabi38@aol.com. Respond to this message

Reply: December 15, 2004 - One place to check is the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, which is usually available in many libraries. Try checking entries under circus in the late 1940s. RBBB seat wagons date to about 1947 or so. There was also an article about the RBBB train in Popular Science or Mechanics. Included in it was an artist's sketch of the trains, if I remember correctly. Fred Dahlinger.

Reply: 05-Jan-05 - That article was in the May 1952 Popular Mechanics and it was reprinted in black and white in the March-April Little Circus Wagon. I am looking at my copy of that issue. If you e-mail me your name and mailing address, I will make a copy of the article and send it to you. It will be in black and white but it is still a great article. Frank Hutchinson, CMB 4690, fwhutch31@aol.com.

Reply: 06-Jan-05 - It was the March-April 1991 Little Circus Wagon that has the reprint of the Popular Mechanics article. The article depicts the Ringling edition that had the five pole big top with the menagerie in one end of the big top. You may order a copy of the March-April 1991 Little Circus Wagon from the Back Issues Department of the Little Circus Wagon. Send $1.50 for the magazine plus $2.50 for postage and handling to Mike Butash, 640 Theodore St., Scranton PA 18508-1741. The March-April issue is listed as being available in the current Little Circus Wagon but you could e-mail Mike at mudshow@msn.com to be sure. Incidentally, the title of the desired article is "Here Comes the Circus." The author is Clifford B. Hicks. Frank Hutchinson


Join CHS today! Membership Form


349. P. A. McGrath, train master, December 11, 2004 - Does anyone have information about P. A. McGrath, train master for Cole Bros. Circus and Ringling Bros. Circus. Thank you, Carl Kruger, NY, cfkcircus@hotmail.com. Respond to this message

Reply: 15 Aug 2008 - I know of a P H McGrath who was a trainmaster in the Robbins Bros Circus in 1938. I think he later joined Ringlings with his wife Mabel Mcgrath. He is my relative, my father's uncle. marian macgrath, ouise9@comcast.net



348. Circus of the Sun, December 10, 2004 - I'm up in the wilds of northern Ontario, Canada, but spent three wonderful, and at times tense, periods in Papua New Guinea in the early nineties. While there, I saw on an ABC program a movie/documentary on what I have since presumed to be the precursor to Cirque du Soleil. I believe the documentary was about "The Circus of the Sun," a group of improvisational and multi-talented individuals who pretty much had to multi-task to put on a mobile circus that toured Australia. It is the name of the group, which I may be in memory error of, that obviously causes me to believe that they might have conceptually begun what now is a world famous french canadian circus. Would you be so kind as to straighten me out in this regard? Thank you. Jim Murphy, murphyj@magma.ca. Respond to this message

Reply: 03-Jan-05 - While the Circus of the Sun (nay Cirque du Soleil) as taken legendary proportions we must look back to a time were the main purpose of a group of street performers was to perpetuate their art.
Baie St-Paul (Quebec) is a small village that accommodated an annual event that gathered street performers. The organization that brought this mini festival together was known as Le Club des Talons Hauts de la Baie St-Paul. In 1984, the Celebration of the Discovery of Canada by Jacques-Cartier made it possible for the government to finance a project that saw the birth of Cirque du Soleil. However, because this new group was less then a year old it did not qualify for a grant. The problem was solved when Gilles St-Croix, a friend of Guy Laliberte, produced the circus under the name of the Club des Talons Hauts, Inc.
As for a group of multi-talented individuals creating a new circus-art concept it is a mythological interpretation of a circus that had the insight of finding very talented people. Director Franco Dragone, a Belgian of Italian source, was familiar with the "new wave" theatrical-circus in Europe. Importing the concept to our shore was an innovation to the eyes of the North-American public. Performers from Circus Roncalli also added prestige to a new circus who's talented performers were more of outer countries then that of Canada.
A first attempt of touring Australia fail to materialize after a $400,000 expenditure. Several years later they succeeded in penetrating the Australian and Asian market. A few years ago Cheval-Theatre innovated and failed. Gilles Ste-Croix, the man behind this new venture, lost a fortune along with a few millions from his friend Guy Laliberte. Meanwhile, Cavalia is a major show produced by Normand latourelle, who was General Manager of Cirque du Soleil. What is today a major international circus organization as benefited from over $20,000,000 in Government grants. A far cry from U.S. administration that fumbles and force the closure of the Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center - the world's most important depositary of circus documentation. Giovanni Iuliani



347. Captain Jack Armstrong, December 10, 2004 - I am a descendant of Willie Timmerman, known in the circus world as Captain Jack Armstrong. Captain Jack operated a traveling circus in India from the early 1930s into World War II. I would appreciate any information of this history you could forward me. Jerry Zimmerman, jerdadzim@cs.com. Respond to this message

Reply: 15-Jan-05 - Hello. I am a desendent of Isaac Timmerman, Mable(St.James). William "Willie" as I always remember my mom calling him. She told me he was her favorate Uncle. I too am trying to find more information about his life (circus). My moms cousin Betty Hart ( Ivora Timmerman is her mom) just put together a book on the Timmerman family history. If you are family you'll know how to get ahold of her. If you find what your looking for, let me know. I just keep running into walls. Im about to call Betty myself. I have some info to go on, but more would be better. He was such a terrific person. Oh. ya. My grandmother was Lozetta Timmerman Harshman. ialou@verizon.net

Reply: 08 September, 2006 - I am the grandson of William Timmerman whose show name was Captain Jack Armstrong. I remember him well as when I was young. He passed away in 1974, His wife my Grandma just passed away this summer she was 96 years old. All four of their kids that also performed with them in India are still alive and doing well, in fact my Dad Ralph still dose some of his cycle acts today at the young age of 70. Currently they all reside in Washington state. Scott Timmerman



346. Nikolai Kobelkoff, December 04, 2004 - I am searching information about Nikolai Wassilievitch Kobelkoff (1851 Russia - 1933 Wien) and his sons. Kobelkoff was born without legs and arms (only stumps), though his parents and his numerous children were normal. This human trunk showed his skillfulness in his fairground stall and later added cinema to his exhibition ("American Show"). He worked a long time in France but visited a lot of country. I assume that some descendants live now in Wien and some of them work in the Prater. Could you help me. Any information would be invaluable for me. Best regards, Jean-Jacques Meusy, Cinema historian (CNRS), Paris, nicole.meusy@club-internet.fr. Respond to this message

Reply: December 06, 2004 - I'm not sure what you mean by 'any' information being welcome as there is so much information widely found on 'the Human Trunk' also on the net. There is a Kobelkoff film, he's featured in plenty of books, the Stadtmuseum, etc. There are still several Kobelkoff and Pichler and Lang family members in Vienna, also in the Prater that you can call. What specific information would you want on Nikolai & family? Natasha Gerson.

Reply: 15 March, 2005 - I am searching information about Nikolai Wassilievitch Kobelkoff painting. Do you have informations ? Thank you! mely.c@tiscali.fr

Reply: 02 April, 2006 - I found messages concerning Nicolai Kobelkoff. I belong to his familiy. If you are interested have a look at my website: www.praterdynastien.at. Best regards Silvia Lang

Reply: 16 August, 2006 - Bonjour, j'ai lu votre annonce sur google, je suie collectionneur du cinema primitif, de 1850 e1915,et dans ma collection j'ai le film en 35mm de KOBELKOFF de 1902, helas je nai que le positif, le négatif je l'ai cédé il y as quelques temps,j'ai aussi 2 cartes postale ou il est représenté avec sa femme est 6 de ses enfants, le film set tres bien fait je le projecte avec un projecteur LUMIERE et le résultat est merveilleux. Salutations HENRI BORGE. domitor@wanadoo.fr
http://www.circushistory.org/Query/Query05a.htm

Kobelkoff, le torse humain est un film documentaire français non attribué en noir et blanc teinté, tourné en 1900.

http://www.etrangefestival.com/index_old/Prog98Freaks.html
http://wien.orf.at/magazin/magazin/veranstaltungen/stories/96118/
http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/newsite/research/research-freaks.html
http://www.quasi-modo.net/Sideshow_Nudes.html
http://www.ulrikeottinger.com/en/tueb-geheimnis-e.htm
http://www.showhistory.com/Limbless.html

http://www.lespressesdureel.com/PDF/932.pdf
http://www.amazon.de/Wien-Wahlheimat-Genies-2-Cassetten/dp/3784450067
http://www.buecher.de/shop/Go-Gz/Grieser-Dietmar/W...ducts/detail/prod_id/05450933/
http://thehumanmarvels.com/?p=67
http://www.pasara.at/index-Dateien/Page348.htm

Исходное сообщение Аноним
Здравствуйте! Меня зовут Светлана. Я ищу материалы о Николае Кобелкове. Скажите пожалуйста, не знаете ли Вы как называется книга воспоминаний, которую написал Николай Васильевич? Я никак не могу ее найти, потому что не знаю не только названия, но и на каком языке она написана. Помогите мне пожалуйста!
Мои координаты: ssuvorova@yandex.ru
http://ssuvorova.livejournal.com/

фильм вышел /черно-белый/ в 1900г, назывался "Kobelkoff, le torse humain" , под этим же названием вышла книжка с интервью и воспоминаниями Николая Васильевича Кобелькова /хотя точно нельзя утверждать по изданиям, они были разными и редкими, которые мы не нашли в интернете/
принято считать, что первая книга вышла в Австрии - хотя сегодня больше ориентируются на современные издания о Кобельникофф http://www.amazon.de/Wien-Wahlheimat-Genies-2-Cassetten/dp/3784450067
в Англии вроде тоже вышла книга - NIKOLAI KOBELKOFF - The Human Trunk.

но, на сегодня информация о Кобельникове остаётся не систематизированной, хотя его семья в Австрии продолжает распространять и собирать материалы
http://www.pasara.at/index-Dateien/Page348.htm

скажем так что видели книгу Кобельникова на французском с переводом с немецкого /издат с 1930г/ но как то не придали этому значения , и теперь не можем найти её..

http://tebessa.free.fr/galerie_des_monstres/troncs/pages/kobelkoff_fam.htm
http://www.phreeque.com/nikolai_kobelkoff.html